News & Insights
ARIPO celebrates its 50th anniversary
In March 2026, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) celebrated its 50th anniversary at ARIPO’s headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe. The festivities included the debut of the organisation’s golden jubilee logo as well as the launch of the 50th anniversary theme, ‘Fostering innovation, creativity, and a sustainable future for Africa’. The logo (pictured below) was […]
April 22 2026
Egypt and Japan’s collaboration continues
The chairman of the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA), Hisham Azmy, met with Japan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Fumio Iwai, in Cairo in March, to discuss future collaboration and overcoming some of the IP challenges between the two countries. At the meeting, Azmy presented a plan on how EGIPA intends to develop its IP strategy in […]
April 22 2026
Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025 passed in Uganda
The Parliament of Uganda passed the long-awaited Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on 17 March 2026, after first being read in Parliament on 13 May 2025. The Bill will now be presented to the President for his assent, before coming into operation. The passing of the Bill has been viewed as a landmark […]
April 22 2026
Plant Variety Protection and Intellectual Property Bootcamp hosted in Nigeria
WIPO, in conjunction with the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), National Plant Variety Protection Office (NPVPO) and Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), hosted a training bootcamp in Abuja, Nigeria, which was attended by lawyers, plant breeders and other agricultural professionals. Co-operation from these various stakeholders aims to stimulate agricultural innovation and commercialisation. […]
April 22 2026
Algeria launches its National Intellectual Property Policy Model
Algeria’s National Intellectual Property Policy Model was unveiled at the end of February 2026 in Algiers by Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Kamel Badari. The policy model – which is supported by the WIPO, the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) and the National Copyright and Related Rights Office (ONDA) – […]
April 22 2026
ARIPO, WIPO and JPO join hands for regional training
In March 2026, ARIPO and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), aided by the Japan Patent Office, hosted a three-day training exercise relating to patent examination and Patent Cooperation Treaty applications. The training brought together patent examiners and IP professionals from across the continent to ensure that the relevant stakeholders are equipped with the necessary […]
April 22 2026
Ghana’s First Geographical Indications Journal in Kenya
In November last year, it was reported that Ghana officially registered its Kente fabric as a geographical indication. Now the country has published its first geographical indications journal (dated 5 May 2025) in March 2026. The publication of the journal is pursuant to the Geographical Indications Act, 2003 (Act 659), as well as the Geographical […]
April 22 2026
South Africa’s Draft National AI Policy: Building a Framework for Responsible and Inclusive AI Governance
The publication of South Africa’s Draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy in April 2026 marks an important shift from conceptual discussions on AI toward a structured national governance framework. Rather than proposing immediate, technology‑specific regulation, the draft policy lays down the principles, institutions and implementation pathways that will guide AI development across sectors. It positions […]
April 15 2026
Protecting Plant Varieties in South Africa
South Africa’s agricultural industry continues to thrive with commercial opportunity. Horticultural businesses and farmers regularly breed or import plant varieties to drive local enterprise. Given the significant financial investment involved, however, protecting plant varieties, and the commercial interests they represent, is essential to breeders. In practice, there are generally two ways to a protect plant […]
April 14 2026
Foreseeability and fault: reaffirming the bounds of Delictual liability
Introduction On the night of 13 October 2014, two Grade 12 learners— B, aged 18, and O, aged 17 — drowned while attending a school revision camp. The camp had been organised to assist learners in their Matric examination preparation, and no provision had been made for swimming. Learners were expressly and repeatedly instructed not […]
April 13 2026
Lessons from Court: A Practical Guide for Private Bodies Responding to PAIA Requests
Private bodies – such as hospitals, medical practices, banks and everyday employers – regularly receive requests for access to information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (“PAIA”). Many recipients assume they have no choice but to comply with every request placed before them. That assumption is wrong. A recent High […]
April 13 2026
FRAUD ALERT – IMPERSONATION NOTICE
We are aware of fraudulent communications circulating from unauthorised third parties falsely claiming to be from our firm and alleging changes to our banking details. We assure you that our banking information remains unchanged. For added assurance, Adams & Adams is registered as a public recipient beneficiary with South African banks. Cyber-related fraud and impersonation […]
April 10 2026
When Convenience Becomes a Risk: Heppner and the Quiet Erosion of Legal Privilege in the Age of AI
The convenience of modern AI tools is irresistible. These AI tools draft, summarise, brainstorm, and structure strategies in seconds. But in the recent case of United State v Heppner (“Heppner”), we are sharply reminded that convenience can come at a steep discovery cost. If you build or refine legal strategies with a public AI tool, […]
April 09 2026
Snuff said about plain packaging
It has been well reported that the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill (“the Tobacco Bill”) aims to tighten regulations around smoking and vaping. Specifically, the bill seeks to introduce plain packaging, which is standardised packaging devoid of branding, including logo trade marks. In addition, the Bill initially sought to treat nicotine and […]
April 09 2026
AI in Africa: Regulations are catching up and the courts are already there
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in Africa. It is here, it is being used, and it is now reshaping regulatory agendas and courtroom practice across the continent. Over the last two years, we have seen a decisive shift in how African governments approach AI. What was once discussed in policy workshops and […]
April 08 2026
Amendment of pleadings and prescription: When changing your legal basis comes too late
Introduction A recent judgment of the Mahikeng High Court serves as a stark reminder that a change in the legal foundation of a claim — from contract to delict — is not merely a technical adjustment. It constitutes the introduction of a new cause of action and, consequently, a new debt for the purposes of […]
April 01 2026
Indigenous Biological Resources, cannabis and the conundrum of human introduction
Cannabis is once again in the news in South Africa, with the recent announcement by various government departments of a national cannabis master plan to establish a formal cannabis and hemp industry. At the same time, the government has a long-standing commitment to protecting its local biodiversity, which is embodied in the National Environmental Management: […]
April 01 2026
The Freak Accident Defence: How Foreseeability Can Defeat an Infrastructure Claim
Claims for damages arising from injuries on public infrastructure are a regular feature of South African litigation. What is frequently underestimated, however, is the demanding role that foreseeability plays in limiting such claims. A recent High Court judgement from the Western Cape Division, delivered on 10 March 2026 per Janisch AJ, provides a sobering illustration […]
March 23 2026